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by Joe Sommo ’03 | Alumni Communications Director<\/em><\/p>\n One of the subjects was loneliness at Archbishop Molloy High School last week. \u201cI understand her loneliness,\u201d a senior, speaking in a gentle tone of his widowed mother, declared to some colleagues. \u201cI\u2019m not saying I\u2019m turning my back on her. But I\u2019m 16 and she\u2019s 50 and I\u2019m going to have to live my life.\u201d The student stared at the floor of the classroom much of the time, obviously feeling strained, but the open admission of this classic conflict of adolescence was a clear relief to him, too. It was all part of one of the most popular elective courses for seniors at the school in Queens, and according to educators, one of the most unusual in the country.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The preceding is an excerpt from an article written by journalist Francis X. Clines and published in the New York Times in 1973 (Full Article<\/a><\/span>). What Br. Leo Richard<\/strong> had started just a few years prior \u2013 a modest a peer-to-peer counseling program benefiting students at Archbishop A prayer service led by Br. Dan O\u2019Riordan \u201985<\/strong> and featuring Br. Owen Ormsby \u201974<\/strong> and Fr. Doran would follow the President\u2019s welcome. Together, the Stanner community prayed for its departed SMILE founders, including Brothers Leo, Regis, and Ron as well as Dr. Englert, Dr. Murphy, and Mrs. Murphy. The aforementioned Dougherty, who spearheads SMILE today, compared the founders to superheroes for their heroics in starting a peer-to-peer program during the tumultuous 1960’s – a time when world events only made things harder on young people. He later choked up while discussing the program, and the inspiring men and women, that once guided him as a teen. Chris would then join in awarding certificates of citation to the attending SMILE founders and the family members attending in honor of their lost loved ones.<\/p>\n The remainder of the evening included a reception and invited guests all around Molloy on a \u201cSMILE Tour\u201d showcasing the many locations the program has utilized over the past 50 years. The Cave was an obvious starting point, but other important rooms included 301, 302, and 206 (the frequent homes of present day SMILE Weekly). Also highlighted was the SMILE Museum; photos, items and articles representing five decades of success.<\/p>\n We don\u2019t have room for all the kind words we heard that night, or the testimonials that were spoken or shared in print and on video, but these words from Mrs. Hart sum everything up pretty well: \u201cThis event was ju A special thank you is extended to our SMILE Committee members, volunteers, and all who donated items and put so much effort into making #SMILE50 a huge success. You have the deepest appreciation of the Stanner Alumni Center.<\/p>\n A dedicated page featuring the SMILE Museum content is planned for Molloy\u2019s website in the coming weeks, but until then please enjoy the photo gallery linked below.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"Past](\"http:\/\/thebeehive.molloyhs.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/SMILE_1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Molloy High School \u2013 had suddenly been recognized by one of the most reputable newspapers in the world. The good work featured in the Times would continue in Leo\u2019s office, or \u201cThe Cave\u201d as it became famously known, over the next several decades and result in the longest running non-athletic program in the school\u2019s history. Br. Leo, in tandem with other caring individuals like Br. Ron Marcellin \u201952<\/strong>, Br. Francis Regis<\/strong>, Dr. Pat Murphy \u201960<\/strong>, Mrs. Sheila Murphy<\/strong>, Dr. Robert Englert<\/strong>, Fr. Edward Doran<\/strong>, Mrs. Mari Hart<\/strong>, and Mrs. Mary Michels<\/strong>, facilitated a forum for students to open up and be themselves in a comfortable and safe environment. Students in SMILE, Something More in Life\u2019s Experience, were encouraged to support each other through whatever problems might challenge them in their teenage years. The lessons guiding these Stanners would stay with them after high school and throughout their lives almost as if by design. Today, the program\u2019s half century of success has been reviewed and implemented by many other schools across the country.<\/p>\n<\/a>On Saturday, March 21st, Molloy celebrated 50 years of SMILE. Over 250 guests representing past and current SMILE members, past and current faculty, Marist Brothers, living program founders, and the families of SMILE\u2019s faithfully departed founders, gathered at Molloy for a truly impactful evening. \u201cI meet with hundreds of prospective students and their parents each year, but because we have an enrollment of almost 1,600 students our size scares some parents,\u201d said President Richard Karsten \u201981<\/strong> while welcoming the crowd. \u201cMy response is that we are a big school with a small school attitude, and I can say with one hundred percent confidence that no student gets lost at Molloy. It is because of programs like SMILE that no one gets lost. With such a great turnout today, it\u2019s clear that SMILE has left its footprint on many of us.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>As the event shifted to its presentation portion, Br. James Norton \u201963<\/strong> provided remarks detailing the beginnings of SMILE. His description featured a big man with a booming voice, bounding in and out of classrooms with enthusiasm and heart. His was an example that was hard to miss and easy to follow. Br. James was, of course, referring to Br. Leo. A beloved figure in St. Ann\u2019s \/ Molloy\u2019s long history, Leo meant a lot to many people. His long insightful walks, his deep and piercing talks, and his care for each and every student built the foundation of SMILE. But Leo was always quick to deflect success to his colleagues and the students themselves. In his mind he was merely watching over The Cave, providing quips about his hometown Red Sox or his favorite movies along the way. He was the rock, though, and that was what everyone loved about him. What Leo brought to each SMILE session permeated to each of his fellow counselors and sustained for 50 years. Surely not even Leo could have envisioned that. (Pictured: Br. James Norton (right) accepts a certificate of citation on behalf of the late Br. Ron Marcellin. Also L-R: Chris Dougherty ’91, Ray DiStephan ’87, Joe Egan ’89, Richard Karsten ’81<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/a>Ray DiStephan \u201987 <\/strong>later took the podium to share his SMILE story. Once a shy teen, Ray learned to open up under Br. Leo\u2019s guidance. As an adult, Ray pursued a career in social work because of his SMILE experience. Following Br. Leo\u2019s passing in 1995, Ray was asked to pick up the torch so the good work in SMILE could continue. He proudly accepted. Ray would forge the way for future SMILE counselors including Chris Dougherty \u201991<\/strong>, Ted McGuinness \u201991<\/strong>, Rachael Galla<\/strong>, Jessica Pastore ’04,<\/strong> and Kristen DeSantis <\/strong>(The latter three pictured<\/em> L-R with Opal Vadhan ’11 at far left<\/em>).<\/p>\n<\/a>Joe Egan \u201989<\/strong>, one of SMILE\u2019s staunchest supporters, also spoke. \u201cI\u2019ve been waiting for this moment for 25 years,\u201d said Joe, hardly able to contain his smile. His statement would be proven as a video dating back 25 years was played. Joe and his fellow SMILE pals all starred in the vintage footage. He was as enthusiastic about the program then as he remains today. Co-starring were the founders, all of whom provided emotional moments to say the least. See the full video presentation below. (Pictured: Mari Hart and Mary Michels, with Br. Dan O’Riordan ’85, both attended #SMILE50<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/a>st fabulous. The number of people that came together was just amazing. All of my years at Molloy were wonderful, but this felt like a great culmination of that. Tonight could not have been better.\u201d<\/p>\n